JONATHAN Greening admits he fears for his first-team place as he prepares to sit out Albion's FA Cup game against Coventry City.

The skipper will serve a one-match ban after accumulating five yellow cards.

It means he will miss his first game of the season when Tony Mowbray's go head-to-head with the managerless Sky Blues for the third time this season, with the prize this time being a place in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

"Whoever comes in could keep me out - it's something I have to accept," said Greening.

"I'm gutted to miss the game because I've played pretty much every game in the last two season and the new manager's been brilliant.

"It's not nice to miss a game but, fingers crossed, whoever comes in will do the job and put us in the quarter-finals.

"If they come in and keep their place then fair enough, I'm not going to complain. "It's hard for me. I've played nearly every game in the last four years. When I was at Middlesbrough I played 100 games on the spin so it will be difficult.

"I'm confident the lads will get through as it would give the club a lift."

With Manchester United playing Arsenal it means there will be a maximum of five Premier League clubs remaining in the last eight, possibly clearing the way for a non-top flight side to reach a Wembley semi-final.

Greening is reluctant to look beyond Saturday's game but admits that Albion would relish an extended cup run.

"We're not scared of anybody and feel we can been anybody," continued Greening.

"Fingers crossed we'll beat coventry on Saturday and then everyone will be excited about a quarter-final, which would be a huge game for the club."